Fl to Mo thoughts

[mikemc53]

We have some time - probably won't make this run until early April - but looking for some advice. We plan on going from north central Florida to Springfield, MO to visit family. We made the reverse trip a couple of years ago and had a stretch, through parts of Arkansas, that was really tough to do (up and down steep grades and very, very winding) with our V-10 coach pulling a toad. We took 60 to 63 from Missouri into Arkansas and found the hills to be much tougher than expected. Any thoughts on a route that would still get us there but not be too much for the old coach (and driver)?


Once we got to the Memphis area, heading to Florida, the trip was pretty easy. It is from Memphis to Springfield that has me looking for something a little less challenging. Is there an easier way or is it pretty much you get what you get?


Just wondering...thanks gang!

[ken56]

All highway route. Go back to Memphis and take 40 over to Fort Smith, hit 49 north up to 44 and then back east to Springfield.

[mikemc53]

These are some great ideas and a big help.

Thanks gang!

[craig7h]

Take hwy64 out of Memphis to hwy 65 then up to Springfield. I drove it coming back from Memphis to Branson instead of the 60 63 route. Much better drive

[doxiemom11]

We take US60 across MO also - pretty flat and nice road. Not a lot of traffic.

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

eHoefler wrote:
This is the route we take to disney, we stop at the hollywood casino for a free stop over

That is exactly the route from Springfield to Memphis the OP wanted to avoid.

Now, I don't think I've towed that route, but I was pulling a 22 ft ski boat from Camden to Bull Shoals/ Lead Hill via AR-7 back in the 60's when I was 15, and I doubt I would find it a challenge now.

Especially after pulling my near 40' TT over CA-36 from Red Bluff to the Coast, however IMHO what routes we consider acceptable it not relevant.

The OP stated he was uncomfortable on the route you showed, and I personally appreciate how you post such good, interesting routes. Please do not stop.

He needs a different route that he will be comfortable with, and I-55 along the Mississippi Valley is the flattest, straightest roads route, I believe. Even I-49 from Fort Smith through Fayetteville might not be what the OP wants.

Personally, I don't take that route to Fayetteville and Missouri, I get off near Mountainburg and take old US-71, which is fun without the horrible traffic in the late 60's, early 70's, in my likely warped opinion.

[Bipeflier]

Get off I 10 at exit 130 up through Dothan, then on up to Montgomery, AL., cut up to Tuscaloosa, Tupelo, North on 45 to Jackson then up to Dyersburg and I 155. I 55 to Sikeston then US 60 across southern MO.

[RoyF]

US 60 across Missouri is a good road that is not very hilly. There are various ways up to US 60 if you want to avoid the mountains of Tennessee. There is always I-55, of course. I like US 45 from Mobile up to Jackson, Tennessee, a good road which avoids Memphis.

[JRscooby]

eHoefler wrote:
This is the route we take to disney, we stop at the hollywood casino for a free stop over

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Springfield,+MO/Orlando,+FL/@32.0470971,-89.6537087,6.25z/data=!4m19...

Not a bad way, in this old driver's opinion. But it does not avoid the area the OP thinks is to tough to handle. But US 63, while winding and steep in places is 1 of the best ways thru the Ozarks. Much of 65 has been improved, but the less steep but longer pulls work the horse pretty hard too.

[eHoefler]

This is the route we take to disney, we stop at the hollywood casino for a free stop over

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Springfield,+MO/Orlando,+FL/@32.0470971,-89.6537087,6.25z/data=!4m19...